Another Way to Take a Social Media Vacation: The Instagram Hotel

Are you an avid Instagram user? Now, you can go on vacation at the world’s first Instagram-themed hotel in Sydney, Australia. The 1888 Hotel, named for the year that Kodak introduced the very first box and roll camera, was designed to completely integrate Instagram into the traveler’s experience. Complete with Instagram photos as decoration and freebies for users, this hotel targets individuals who love both travel and photography, enabling them to more easily document their trip using Instagram.

The 1888 Hotel

When you check in to the 1888 Hotel, feel free to snap a selfie. The 90 rooms in the hotel contain over 100 Instagram photos taken by guests. In addition, the hotel also has a digital mural in its entryway containing photographs from Instagram. Designed by 8Hotels, the Instagram hotel took over two years and $30 million to come to fruition. To see what the 1888 Hotel looks like, check out #1888Hotel.

CEO Paul Fishchman states that the idea behind 1888 Hotel was the “strong, intrinsic link between travel and photography.” He elaborates, “The advent of social media and Instagram has made photo-sharing an even bigger part of the traveler’s experience. People not only want to visit and stay in beautiful places, they also want to capture and share it with their friends and networks as it happens.” While the Twitter hotel, which I recently discussed, focuses on a social media experience within one’s hotel stay, the Instagram hotel seeks to connect the merging worlds of social media, photography, and travel. With in-room iPads, Wi-Fi, and heavy social media integration, the Instagram hotel provides an approach to travel that suits the digital age.

Freebies for Instagram Users

Of course, the Instagram hotel comes with freebies and contests for Instagram users. If you have over 10,000 followers on Instagram, you will receive a free night at the 1888 Hotel. For less popular users, the hotel holds a monthly competition in which guests can submit their photos of the 1888 Hotel to win an extra night on the house. Rooms at the 1888 Hotel start at about $140 per night. The hotel offers not only complimentary Wi-Fi and iPads in each room, but also Smart TVs containing media hubs.

Would you stay at a social media-based hotel, or do you prefer to check out from technology while on vacation?

Elizabeth K

Elizabeth Kent is a recent graduate with an M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Brandeis University. She earned her B.A. from Smith College with a major in the Study of Women and Gender and a minor in Jewish Studies. Elizabeth recently relocated from the Boston area back to Western Massachusetts, where she spends her free time volunteering with a local non-profit organization. Elizabeth has worked as a writing tutor, archival intern, research assistant, and retail associate. Her interests include studying pop culture, kittens, and making meals with as little cooking as possible.